Oregon Vapers Could Face Eye-Watering E-Cigarette Tax Of 50 Percent

Vapers in Oregon could be hit with a massive tax increase if Democrats in the state legislature get their way.

Rep. Phil Barnhart is sponsoring House Bill 4062 which raises the retail tax on e-cigarettes and e-liquids by an eye-watering 50 percent. The measure is still being debated and is some way off from becoming law.

The hefty tax increase is opposed by local Oregon groups such as the Northwest Vaping Association. Many of those working in the e-cigarette industry object to being taxed on par with the tobacco industry because e-cigarettes are often used to help people quit smoking.

But some public health activists have been vocal in their support. Jenn Baker of the Oregon Nurses Association argued, “the goal would be to pass the cost increase onto the consumer — especially teens who are price-sensitive,” according to Friday post in The Lund Report.